Childhood obesity targeted by anti-junk food ads

Advertisers of junk food ads tend to target the time zones and television programs that children will be more likely to be watching. Do you realize that during Saturday morning cartoon hours, children are barraged by an average of 8 junk food ads per every 10 minutes of cartoons, in the US and around the world?

A study done by the International Obesity Task Force, found that 177 million children under 18, and 22 million children under the age of 5, are clinically obese. Germany and the U.S. lead the way in childhood obesity, and in the number of junk food advertising targeted at children.

In Australia, the Australian Medical Association want junk food ads banned from peak childhood viewing times on television.

The Australian Society for the Study of Obesity has estimated that childhood obesity is rising at an annual rate of one per cent.

AMA president, Dr Andrew Pesce said if this continues, around half of all young Australians will be overweight within 20 years.

While researchers on this subject say it is difficult to establish a direct link between childhood obesity and junk food consumption, it is easy to establish that viewing of these ads will affect childrens’ food preferences.

Researchers around the world recognize that childhood obesity is the result of more than consumption of junk food. Children also need to be encouraged to get more exercise. However, attacking junk food ads is the route to the highest impact at the lowest cost that has been found to have any effect at this time.

Oregonians have just joined what is becoming an international effort, and have launched a statewide campaign by the Nutrition Council of Oregon. Ads will be placed in 200 Tri-met buses in Portland Oregon, and a Facebook page has been established with information about advertising, and healthy versus junk foods.